James Nichols (convicted murderer)
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| James Allen Nichols | |
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| Born | May 27, 1978 |
| Conviction(s) | Second-degree intentional homicide Hiding a corpse Felon in possession of a firearm |
| Penalty | 69 years |
| Status | Incarcerated |
| Occupation | Logger |
James Nichols is a felon convicted of murdering Cha Vang, a Hmong hunter who was found shot and stabbed, his corpse hidden, in the woods near Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Nichols has admitted to killing Vang, but insists the killing was self-defense.[citation needed] On March 19, 2007, Nichols pleaded "Not Guilty" to the charge of first degree intentional homicide, felony possession of a weapon, and hiding a corpse. Nichols was convicted of second degree intentional homicide on October 6, 2007 and faces up to 69 years in prison.[1][2]
[edit] Evidence and motivation
Dr. Mark Witeck, who performed the autopsy on Cha Vang, testified that Vang was shot from about 50 feet away by a shotgun, and stabbed six times in his face and neck.
Attention to possible racial motives has been brought due to some of Nichol's own statements. Nichols has been quoted on record saying "Hmong group are bad". Nichols' employer has testified that two months before the killing, Nichols mentioned that he would have killed a Hmong hunter that he had seen in the woods if he had been carrying a shotgun rather than an air-rifle.
[edit] Effects of the killing
Reports of racial tension in the forests of Wisconsin during hunting seasons have been heard ever since Chai Soua Vang (no relation), a Hmong hunter, was convicted of killing six Caucasian hunters two years before Cha Vang's murder. Besides the immediate effects felt by family and friends at the death of Cha Vang, the killing has stressed the already-tense relations between the Hmong community and predominantly Caucasian hunters in Wisconsin state.
[edit] References
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This article is missing citations or needs footnotes. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (July 2007) |
- State of Wisconsin v. James Allen Nichols, (Marinette District Court, Wisconsin 2007).
- "Man Pleads Not Guilty In Hunter's Death", WCCO News, 2007-3-19. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
- Nelesen, Andy. "Ruling: Jury can hear Nichols' comments about different Hmong hunter", Green Bay Press Gazette, 2007-6-21. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
- Mayhoua, Moua. "Murder of Cha Vang reinforces need for dialogue on race relations", Asian American Press, 2007-2. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
